Thankfully, things worked out well for the people in the story. It could have been very bad.
Always keep an eye out for actions ‘out of the ordinary’. Having too much of a good time can lead to putting yourself in a vulnerable situation, and not able think clearly, it can lead to unpleasant events.

The story is at Dockwalk, and I found the comments interesting, also.

Any readers care to tell me what the Chinese characters mean?

The distributors for the C-Pod all seem from Europe, so if I were planning on cruising the Med, this is a system I would take a look at. Featured in this months “Latitudes and Attitudes” magazine. C-Pod

Developed by a couple that had the misfortune of having two attempts at being mistakenly re-possessed, this is a lower cost alternative to the more expensive systems being offered. Featured in this months “Soundings” magazine. Pogo

And today’s third option -

My choice for US and Caribbean waters, the options range from the Boat Nanny up to the Marine Magellan systems. Marine Guard

Dutch News Release Regarding Venezuelan Pirate Attack

Inquiry into German drowning woman
20 Apr, 2010, 09:46 (GMT -04:00)

WILLEMSTAD — The Public Prosecutor has started an inquiry into the German
drowning woman who was rescued by a cargo ship last Friday and brought to
Curaçao afterwards. The female has supposedly spent thirteen days floating
on a raft after she and her husband had become the victim of an armed
hold-up on their yacht while at sea.

Local press reported of Venezuelan pirates who had seized their opportunity
before the coast of Venezuela. However, in the framework of the
investigation, the Curaçao authorities are not providing any details, also
not regarding the location of the hold-up. The local media also reports that
the female had initially declared that the pirates had put her and her dead
husband on a raft and had taken off with the yacht. At a certain stage, the
female had pushed the deceased from the raft because of the smell. However,
the Venezuelan press is currently reporting that the yacht was found before
the coast of Venezuela – with the husband’s body. Officer of Justice,
Ludmila Vicento could not confirm or deny that report.

The cargo ship San Fernando had rescued the German female and subsequently
warned the coastguard. The female was immediately given medical treatment on
board the San Fernando as she was suffering from sun blisters.
She is fine, considering the circumstances. The coastguard had subsequently
fetched the female and brought her to the Motet yard where police officers
and the consul for Germany, Bas Kooijman, awaited her. The female was
brought to the hospital for further treatment.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruisers_Network_Online/

I will keep looking for more information. If anyone finds out more, please let me know.

‘The pirates who captured a retired British couple four months ago have dismissed growing pressure from the Somali diaspora for their unconditional release but are reducing their ransom demands.’

From the folks at Noonsite (http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2010-02-25-1/view) and http://www.savethechandlers.com/

Progress is being made, I hope their release comes swiftly.

Stop by www.yachtsecurity.blogspot.com for all of my posts.

Always a ton of news for the yachting and cruising community.

Please come on over and visit my regular site – www.yachtsecurity.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruisers_Network_Online/

Here’s an account of an attack near Cartagena.

http://karaka.site.voila.fr/

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

I have been posting to my other site, www.yachtsecurity.blogspot.com, far more than I have here. Please come on over and check it out.

We (Maritime Vital Asset Protection and Phantom Services) have recommended them for our clients.

http://www.marineguardsecurity.com/2009.06.01_arch.html#1245254709430

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1192640/Admiral-Abramovich-launches-300million-mega-yachtski-The-worlds-biggest-submarine.html